"I don't know what else to say: I started the wreck," he said. "I've taken responsibility. My bad."

Johnson bumped race leader Elliott Sadler as the entire field entered the third turn. Sadler's car turned into the outside wall, triggering a chain reaction that sent cars driven by Sadler, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip, Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Joe Nemechek to the garage area. Waltrip's car flipped along the backstretch, but he was unhurt.

On Sunday Johnson said Earnhardt Jr. bumped him into Sadler's car. But after watching replays of the crash, Johnson said Earnhardt Jr.'s bump didn't cause the problem.

"I needed to see the video to understand exactly what took place," he said. "I felt terrible that it took out a lot of good race cars. It hurt our chances as well."

Johnson said he's talked to Sadler and Waltrip since the crash to accept the blame.

Berrier busted for modifications

Crew chief Todd Berrier was suspended for two races and fined $10,000 for rigging Kevin Harvick's trunk before qualifying last Friday.

NASCAR officials found the fuel overflow valve laying in the trunk after time trials. They also found the areas around the rear shock mounts weren't properly sealed.

By allowing air into the trunk area, the sanctioning body said it allowed the car to settle lower on the track and reduce wind resistance.

Berrier was suspended four races earlier in the year for a fake gas tank during qualifying at Las Vegas.

Car of Tomorrow could improve safety

NASCAR's "Car of Tomorrow" was tested Monday at the Talladega Superspeedway with hopes of having it ready for the 2007 season.

A Ford was driven by Carl Edwards, a Dodge by Kyle Petty and a Chevrolet by former driver-turned-NASCAR official Brett Bodine.

The car is taller to create more wind resistance.

It also has a bigger greenhouse - the driver's compartment - with the driver sitting four inches closer to the center of the car for safety reasons.

NASCAR hopes to have the car ready for 2007, but it may debut the car at Talladega next year for one race.

The car is supposed to increase safety while making cars easier and more cost effective to build since all three manufacturers will share more templates.

The bigger, less-aerodynamic design is supposed to make it easier for cars to pass, much like the design used on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Don't touch that remote control

While television ratings tied last year's marks from Talladega, Ala., NBC said viewership remains up by 77 percent at the track since the $2.6 billion contract started five years ago.